Hollywood East booming with business

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hollywood East is booming. The Port City is the backdrop for three movies right now. Marvel masterpiece ‘Iron Man 3,’ made-for-TV movie ‘Somebody’s Child,’ and Nicholas Sparks’ book-turned-movie ‘Safe Haven’ have all set up shop.

“It’s something that I think people are interested in,” author Nicholas Sparks. “There’s a big love for Hollywood in this world.”

The writer of romance calls New Bern home, and many of his books and movies are set right here in southeastern North Carolina. ‘Ssafe Haven’ stars Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough. Filming is scheduled for Southport, where the movie is set, as well as several locations in the Port City over the next several weeks.

Local production company Swirl Films is making ‘Somebody’s Child.’ It’s a movie for the Gospel Music Channel about a family that gives an ex-convict a second chance at life.

“A lot of the roles that I’ve played are cops, tough guys and roles like that,” said Byron Minns who plays Benjamin Sparks, the ex-con. “But this was the first role that I really had an opportunity to show a variety of sides. It’s a very complex character.”

The highly-anticipated ‘Iron Man 3’ starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwenyth Paltrow continues to film in Wilmington. The National Gypsum plant off River Road is one of the filming locations. Along with other items, the set contains a large green screen, multiple cranes, lights and even a blacked out Audi.

Love, forgiveness and action are all taking place in the Port City.

‘Somebody’s Child’ airs on the Gospel Music Channel in August. ‘Safe Haven’ debuts in February, and ‘Iron Man 3’ is set to come out next summer.

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I’m a sound mixer for film and television. I was born and raised in North Carolina. I work here. My two boom operators work here and live here. The majority of these crews are local (sure the director might be from out of town but the 25grips and electrics under him aren’t). We use some many locals on these productions that we are stretching the local crew base to the max. Because of that more and more new local crew are being introduced and trained very quickly from CFCC and UNCW (which is a huge opportunity for them). Huge crews of grip, electrics, transpo, set builders, prop people, SPX techs, sound crews, camera crews etc, are from NC and are among the best in the country. These are skilled jobs that pay well. You really do them a disservice when you say that “locals” aren’t benefiting from or working on these productions. We do, and it’s sorely needed in this economy. It pays my mortgage and keeps me in North Carolina…where I want to be. Like the majority of the people I work with.

ps. I’ve never commented on one of these things before but I just couldn’t help it. I hope this gives you some more perspective on your local crew base. Thanks.

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Guest2020

2015 years 8 months ago

My parents’ neighbor has lived beside them in Wilmington for over twenty years. He has never had any trouble getting work as a cameraman for Wilmington-based projects.

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notwerkin

2015 years 8 months ago

too bad they keep hiring most of their crew from out of state. check out how many out of towners vs. in state people have been given jobs. then check how many “locals” are still unemployed while these out of town people are coming in and working.

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Billy King

2015 years 8 months ago

Is there at any time we can watch the filming of these movies.
Thank you
Bill

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SusanK6461

2015 years 8 months ago

Fracking, anti-gay legislation… many in Hollywood have strong views on these types of subjects. I wonder how many will think twice next time they’re looking for a film site?